October 2011

October 30, 2011

I know someone who is due to have a baby in December and I've been thinking about making her a cot quilt. I have a bit of an idea of what I want to do so on Friday I went to Peppermint Stitches to see about some fabric.

They have such beautiful fabric that I just couldn't resist buying 2 lots.

I settled on Little Apples charm pack for the cot quilt. They have some of the prints on the roll as well so I think I will be able to get away with a charm pack and then buy some more fabric for the borders, etc. This range has been around for a while and I think it's delightful. I guess I was just waiting for a project to use it in.

I've also had my eye on Countdown to Christmas fabrics. I hadn't planned on making anything for Christmas but these fabrics are just so nice I just had to buy a layer cake. This morning I spent some time thinking about what I will make and I'm pretty sure I'll make a table centre and some placemats. Mine need updating badly. Will see anyway.

October 28, 2011

I was inspired by the cross-stitch design I just finished, to make another stitchery project. I think 'faith, hope and love' are good things to be reminded of, so I decided to make a wallhanging incorporating them. I bought some lovely fabric at Peppermint Stitches a few weeks ago, and I've been waiting for the 'right' project to use them in. I think they will be perfect for this project.

The blue patterned fabric will be my main fabric and the plain blue will be for the border of the stitcheries.

I'm using my favourite linen/cotton fabric for the stitchery in the antique white colour.

The stitchery is quite quick to do after the cross-stitch so I'm hoping it will all come together well.

I love the fabric - it's very 'springy' and in fact the weather up here in paradise has been very 'springy' lately.

My little garden outside my studio has really sprung into life.

I planted it just before winter and for the last couple of months I was starting to think that nothing was going to happen. But with the lovely warm weather and lots of rain, things changed almost overnight.

There are still more flowers to bloom but so far I'm delighted with how it looks. My poor little dog is almost hidden in the blooms!

October 27, 2011

At the start of every year, I'm always full of enthusiasm and optimism, and make all sorts of wild plans about what projects I will undertake in the year ahead. One of those 'wild plans' was to make a quilt of cross-stitch designs that I would choose from my collection of Cross Country Stitching magazines. It sounded like a good idea at the time.

But, it's now October (almost November) and I have just finished one cross-stitch design! As much as I enjoyed doing it, I found that it was competing with my stitching and knitting, and always seemed to finish last.

I also underestimated how long this little thing would take (it's only 3" (w) by 4.25" (h))! I like the sentiment though - it's a quote from Proverbs 15:4 - and it's a reminder to me of the importance of choosing my words wisely. It's so easy (for me) to say things which are negative or even hurtful. Words wisely chosen can bring life and hope to a situation.

I'm not sure if I will persist with the quilt idea (a definite long long long term project) or abandon it altogether and make something else with this design.

Think I will put away for a while and think about it.

Book club...

Just come home from my Knits and Novels book club and no one enjoyed the last book (which will remain nameless). Our next novel is Before I go to Sleep by SJ Watson. This one is a crime thriller and hopefully will be more interesting than the last one.

October 25, 2011

The postie delivered another fabric club instalment from Threadbear Quilters and as usual I'm really pleased with the selection.

I was only lamenting to myself the other day that I lacked some nice reds and pinks and was very happy to see just that in this month's fabric club.

I had a lot of trouble trying to pick my favourites but I think the first red one on the top row and the first pink on the bottom row are my choice.

I also really like the brown and pink one just peeking out on the second row.

Aren't they beautiful?

More Fabric...

A couple of weeks ago I bought a pack of fat eights from Lynette Anderson.

I can't remember the name of the range but the theme is 'sewing'.

The colours are really fresh and I love the prints.

The problem I'm having is that I just can't decide what to do with them. I've had them sitting on my work table since they arrived and every now and then I rearrange them but I still haven't come up with anything!

October 23, 2011

I was really inspired by Marg Low the other day when I saw how tidy her ric-rac braid stash was. She had organised hers into neat little bundles and I thought it looked like a really good idea.

So I pulled mine out of the cupboard and was a little overwhelmed when I realised what I mess it had become.

I frankly didn't know where to start! After trying to unravel some of it I decided that it was beyond help and quickly put the whole mess back in the cupboard where it belongs!

I'm feeling very smug today - managed to finish my tax for another year. Thought about making some sort of resolution about being better prepared next year but decided I was only setting myself up for failure! Anyway, I finished it on time didn't I?

October 22, 2011

Yes, it's tax time again and my desk is full of all tax related 'stuff'. I received an email from my friend Liz the other day and she mentioned in passing that she had finished her tax return. Alarm bells went off in my brain when I realised that my return is due next week (31/10)! Yuk!

The weird thing is I'm an accountant - and should know better - but every year it's the same last minute rush. Hopefully, by the end of the day it will be done. Wish me luck.

October 21, 2011

When I first put it up, my plan had been to have an inspiration board where I could hang up inspiring bits of fabric or pattern ideas. But, as you can see, it's a bit of that but it's also a noticeboard where I pin up things I need to remember like my list of library books. It's usually much 'fuller' than this, but I had a bit of a purge and took down some 'older' things to make way for a whole new crop of inspiration.

It's actually a very handy thing to have and some of the things hanging up there have real significance for me.

Stealth fighters...

Today in paradise the new stealth fighter planes flew over the city on their way to the Amberley Air Base where they will be stationed. Last night on the tv news, an expected arrival time was given and I rushed outside at the appointed time to look but no show. Disappointed I went back inside wondering if I had missed them. But I shouldn't have worried - about 10 mins later I heard this huge roar and rushed outside to see 12 jets flying right over my house! It was very exciting and spectacular!

October 20, 2011

For some reason, my enthusiasm for knitting dropped off a little bit for a while and I think it might have had something to do with this scarf I was knitting.

It's a very simple pattern and the yarn is a lovely Noro Silk Garden Sock but I think that is the problem - it's a sock yarn and the scarf seemed to take me forever to finish.

But finish it I did (Yeah) and I am pleased with the finished result. The bias lace pattern shows up the colour changes in the yarn beautifully and I know that it will be well worn - next winter!

The pattern is called Noro Bias Lace Scarf by Susan Ashcroft and it was a free download on Ravelry. Instructions are given for both the sock yarn as well as ordinary Silk Garden which would be way quicker to knit. I had one ball of the sock yarn which is why I used it - which means that I have one less ball of yarn in my stash.

Harvest Moon...

Once the scarf was finished I found myself thinking about starting something new. I was able to reach into my recently cleaned up stash and pull out the makings of a cardigan called Harvest Moon.

This winter I realised that I needed more cardigans - it's so cold here in the mornings in winter but it warms up pretty quickly and so cardigans are easy to put on and off. For this one I'm using Berocco Blackstone Tweed in this lovely blue colour. The yarn is a 10ply and has a nice texture. The pattern is knit from the top down and starts with the yoke being knit separately and then stitches picked up around the bottom edge. The cardigan looks very 'comfy' - hopefully mine will feel that way as well.

October 18, 2011

I love buying little 'things' when I'm out shopping. On Saturday we visited Mary Ryan's at Milton and not only do they have great books, they also have a great selection of bits and pieces.

I spied this little bag on the counter and just couldn't resist it.

Inside it's a lovely bright pink colour and I'm going to use it to store something (not sure what) in my studio. It looks very smart sitting on the bench.

If you wondering why I didn't buy a book? Well, I have vowed not to buy any books until I finish the one I'm reading. It's the latest selection for my book club and I'm finding it hard going. Not my cup of tea at all. But, that's one of the reasons I joined a book club - to read books that I wouldn't normally choose myself. I have just over a week to finish it and I think it's going to be a close call!

October 17, 2011

Thanks for your comments on my In the Garden post. We've had definite indoor weather here today - yesterday was lovely and hot and today it's cool and raining! I liked reading all the things you had to say - I was especially taken by the suggestion of taking the sewing machine outside in warm weather.

I put the numbers in the random generator and the winner is no 14 - that's you Des Dt. Congratulations. Please email me your postal address and your pattern will be on it's way.

Slippers...

Do you remember the lovely handmade slippers I bought from Karmen Sega? Well, it's my sister's birthday and I bought her a special pair.

Because they are handmade no 2 pairs are the same so you are guaranteed something unique and special.

I love my slippers and wear them all the time - I have a pair for the house and another pair in the studio. They are made from leather and are good for all climates - even paradise.

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In 2012 we did the quilt called I am... based on the I am statements Jesus made in the book of John. If you would like more information please email me.